Weetdoener was the name of the man who during the 16th-century period of persecution of the Anabaptists-Mennonites announced to the members of the church the place and hour of meetings, which varied because of danger of being surprised. Weetdoeners who thus made the rounds of the entire congregation are known in Amsterdam and Antwerp, and probably also functioned in other larger towns. At Strasbourg in 1540 a "Büttel" performed these services.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 911. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.